Temple: Continuing the Streak
There once was a time when the Temple men's basketball program was synonymous with NCAA tournament appearances.
Beginning with the Harry Litwack-coached teams of the 1950s and 1960s, you could count on the Philadelphia-based school and the avid favorite of comedian Bill Cosby to make the appearance each March in the big dance.
From 1984 to 1988 and again from 1990 to 2001, Temple was involved in NCAA postseason play every year. Then came a long drought of six years. Now, that might be long to some people's standards, that might not be forever. To the Owls, it was.
Fran Dunphy has done a good job of starting a new era in Temple basketball. Ever since he took over for John Chaney before the 2007-08 season, Dunphy has guided the Owls into the NCAA each year. The problem was, up until last year, the Owls couldn't find their way out of the first round.
In 2008, Temple lost 72-61 to Michigan State, followed by losses in 2009 to Arizona State (66-57) and in 2010 to Cornell (78-65). Then last year came along, and Temple broke through with a 66-64 win over Penn State in the second round (the true first round of the tournament, if you don't count the First Four). The Owls lost to San Diego State 71-64 in the next round, but more importantly the Owls had picked up their first NCAA victory since winning three games in the 2001 tournament.
On Friday morning (October 7), Dunphy took his team rowing along the famous Schuylkill River, often seen in movies because of the boathouses that line the river west of downtown Philadelphia. Combined with the men's crew team, the basketball squad rowed down the water in an exercise to build team unity.
"It was really an interesting experience," Temple center Micheal Eric said in a story on the team's website (owlsports.com). "Crew is a true team sport. In order to succeed and move the boat forward you must all be on the same page. That same concept can be translated to all sports, as you need to have team chemistry to be successful."
It will soon be told if Temple's chemistry and teamwork translates to a fifth straight NCAA appearance. The non-league schedule has games against Texas, Duke and possibly Purdue, not to mention an Atlantic 10 that could be tough once again.
The big thing for the Owls is they are again relevant in NCAA basketball circles. The hope is, for the first time in 11 years, the Owls go past the opening rounds and into the sweet 16.
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